Besotted pet owners admit their dog is 'part of the family' – with half of the nation’s pooches even having their own spot on the sofa, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 dog owners revealed just how much love there is for the family pet with six in 10 admitting they often see them as being like one of the children.
Thirty per cent allow their pooch to sleep on their bed while a quarter of puppy-mad Brits have turned down nights with friends because they can’t bear to leave their dog at home alone.
It also emerged having pictures of your pet on display in your house is the biggest sign they are part of the family, along with giving them a nickname, and celebrating their birthday.
Check out: 11 Strictly Come Dancing affairs that gave us the shock of our lives
11 Strictly Come Dancing affairs that gave us the shock of our lives SLIDER with cover pic
1 of 11Strictly
2 of 111. Did Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole have a Strictly affair?
Strictly's Camilla Dallerup revealed she suffered a 'mini death' when her fiancé Brendan Cole reportedly left her in 2004 for his Strictly dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky. Natasha and Brendan never confirmed they were romantically involved. Natasha said: "There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan."The pair have since married other people, whilst Camilla married former Hollyoaks star Kevin Sacre in 2010.
3 of 112. Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff: Strictly scandal turns fairy tale
After splitting with his girlfriend of five years, Jo-Emma Larvin, just one week into his stint on Stricly in 2009, boxer Joe Calzaghe and professional partner Kristina Rihanoff soon embarked on a romance - splitting in 2013 after four years together.
4 of 113. Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff Strictly scandal turned into true love
Following his 2013 stint on the show, rugby star Ben Cohen revealed he'd split from wife of 11-years Abby. He was then forced to deny he was romantically involved with former partner Kristina Rhianoff, after the pair were spotted linking arms on a London tube train.Ben and Kristina have since started a relationship and the pair welcomed their first child together in 2016.
5 of 114. Did Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace date on Strictly Come Dancing?
Things must have been awkward backstage at Strictly in 2007 when Flavia Cacace reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight-years, Vincent Simone, for Eastenders actor Matt Di Angelo.At the time the actor told the Daily Mail: "The funny thing was the story did not start off as true, but the more you read it, the more you started to believe it and actually act on it."However, Flavia split from Matt in 2010 and went on to wed actor Jimi Mistry (who she met whilst partnered together on Strictly in 2010) in December 2013.
6 of 115. Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna: Strictly relationship
Former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her dance partner, Brian Fortuna, got together in 2009 after starring together on the show - but split a year later.
7 of 116. Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev: Strictly Come Dancing fairy tale ending
Rachel Riley shocked everyone when she revealed she was splitting from husband of just 15-months Jamie Gilbert during her time on Strictly in 2013. Less than a year later, the Countdown star announced she was dating her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev - but insisted there was no overlap between the two romances.
8 of 117. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev: Strictly Come Dancing relationship
Kara Tointon not only bagged the Strictly glitter ball in 2010 but also a hunky new boyfriend when she embarked on a romance with her Strictly partner Artem Chigvintsev.However, after three years of being together the pair split, and the former EastEnders actress told The Telegraph: "We are not together. We're fine, but we aren't a couple anymore."
9 of 118. Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward: Strictly Curse
When Georgia entered the competition in 2015 she was dating her Coronation Street co-star, Sean Ward. At the time she reassured everyone that she was in a happy relationship and she was just good friends with her dance partner Giovanni.However, shortly after the competition finished she ended her relationship with Sean and started a relationship with Giovanni.Unfortunately Georgia and Giovanni split before series 14 started. The former Coronation Street actress announced the news on Twitter, writing: "It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved."Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times."We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future."
10 of 119. Did Helen George split from Oliver Boot because of Strictly?
Helen George appeared on Strictly in 2015 and split from her husband Oliver Boot of three years. Were they hit by the Strictly curse?
11 of 1110. Did Susanna Reid and Dominic Cotton break up because of Strictly?
Susanna Reid featured on Strictly during series 11. After the show finished, Susanna and her partner Dominic Cotton split.The TV presenter denied the end of their relationship being related to the Strictly curse, she told the Daily Mirror: "I think people think Strictly was bound in what happened. It wasn't."Obviously things have been challenging in my personal life but we are getting things sorted."
Other indicators include having their image as the screen saver on your phone, only going to dog-friendly pubs and restaurants so they can go with you and even giving them their own social media account.
Incredibly, in the event of a breakup, 37 per cent would be more devastated by losing custody of their dog than the house they live in.
The study commissioned by Lintbells, a manufacturer of premium natural supplements for dogs, cats and horses, found 44 per cent of dog owners have planned a holiday specifically with their canine’s enjoyment in mind. Meanwhile a third have bought their dog a personalised present after returning from a trip away.
And 34 per cent have even avoided going on holiday entirely because it would have meant them being away from their beloved pet.
Nearly half of all pooches in the country have their own spot on the sofa, forcing humans to get up and move if they dare settle down on it.
And a quarter of respondents have had to tell guests not to sit on a particular seat – in case the dog fancies a sit down.
More than one in 10 pet owners even admit to taking their dog to the groomers more often than they go to the hairdressers themselves, while four in 10 deem their pet has a healthier diet than them.
Almost a fifth even let their dog sit at or beside the dinner table at meal times.
It also emerged doggy-devotees are twice as likely to say hello to their dog first after getting home at the end of the day, than their partner.
More than one in ten have even marked their pet’s birthday with a party while 12 per cent admit to often spending more of their spare cash on their dog than they do on themselves.
Lintbells offer a wide a range of products to support the overall health and wellbeing of our four-legged friends, including YuMEGA for skin and coat health, YuMOVE for joint care, YuDIGEST for digestive health and YuCALM to help behaviour.
These are the top 20 signs your dog is part of the family
These are the top 20 signs your dog is part of the family - STACKED
1 of 5Maria Fowler and her dog
- You've got pictures of them in your house2) You give them a nickname as well as their actual name 3) You can't imagine life with another dog 4) They have their own space on the sofa
2 of 5Cheryl and her dog
- They sleep on the bed with you 6) You celebrate their birthday 7) You include them in your Christmas family photos 8) You're happier staying in with them than going on a night out with friends
3 of 5Binky Felstead and her dog
- They're your phone screen saver10) You pack a bag for your dog when you go away 11) You refer to them as your child or furbaby 12) You're always showing people pictures of them
4 of 5Lucy Watson and her dog
- You've gone on holiday somewhere just because your dog would enjoy it14) You tell them you love them more than your partner 15) You have the vet's number on speed dial 16) You bought a house only after considering their needs
5 of 5Pete Wicks and his dog
- You only go to dog-friendly pubs or restaurants 18) You've dedicated a whole area of your house or garden to their wellbeing19) You make more effort feeding them than you do your own partner or kids20) Your pet has a social media account
Does your dog feel like family? Do you have any funny memories with your pets? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
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